BY MARY NELL BOCKMAN
BOSTON - "The Power of Our Voices," the Northeast Young Feminist Summit sponsored by the National Organization for Women (NOW), is building among young activists throughout the region. Participants will be coming from seven states - Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York. Over 150 people have registered in advance for the February 27-March 1 conference in Boston according to summit coordinator Andrea Lee.

At a planning meeting for the conference on February 15, Carey Anderson, a student at State University of New York, Albany, reported that 50 people are coming from campuses in upstate New York including Vassar College, Cornell University, SUNY and Bard College. Providence, Rhode Island, participants and New York City NOW have chartered buses.

Bergin O'Malley is organizing participation in the summit from New York City. "Young women need to group together to discuss what we want, what we can fight for. It's really solidarity," O'Malley said. Students are coming from four city colleges and several high schools so far. "We just had two different people call in and reserve 10 seats each on the bus," she reported. NOW plans to send two buses from New York. Tickets are $40 and can be reserved by calling (212) 260-4422.

Ten thousand flyers have been printed for distribution in the Boston area and mailings have gone out to hundreds of groups and individuals. High school activists have organized an outreach campaign to students through calling, speakers, and leafleting at schools.

The U.S. drive towards war against Iraq will be one of the issues discussed at the conference. Elena Tate, a high school student in Cambridge who is speaking at a workshop, has been part of protests against the war in Boston. "I really urge young women and men who oppose the war moves of the U.S. government to come to this conference," Tate said. "This government doesn't defend the rights of women at home. The slaughter they are planning shows what they think of the women, men, and children of Iraq." A discussion on why feminists should oppose the war against Iraq is planned for Saturday night.

Other workshops at the Young Feminist Summit include History of the Struggle for Women's Rights, Working-Class Politics and Feminism, Politics of Reproductive Rights, International Women's Rights Movements, Fighting for Affirmative Action, and organizing workshops for college and high school students. Speakers at the general conference sessions include Patricia Ireland, National NOW President; Rep. Cynthia McKinney; Womens National Basketball Association player Lynette Woodard, and others.

A special feature of the conference will be a march and rally Saturday afternoon, which will link the struggles for women's rights from earlier this century to today.

The conference will be held at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Boston near the Cambridgeside Galleria. Registration begins on Friday, February 27 at 4:00 p.m. and the conference ends Sunday afternoon March 1. For more information contact Boston NOW at (617) 232-1017 or e-mail massnow@gis.net.

Mary Nell Bockman is a member of the United Steelworkers of America.  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home